1988 Toyota Camry DLX from North America - Comments

10th Jul 2001, 19:01

I think this guy might have mistaken his Camry for a Volkswagen.

I have never had any problems with my 1988 Toyota Camry. The engine (3SFE 4cyl), and auto transmission (both original) still going strong with over 202k ( miles with NO LEAKS!! It's par for the course that a Camry (or any Toyota) should have very minimal (less than, say, 2) problems throughout it's life.

Don't let this guy fool you. 99.9% of the Camrys in these surveys have pleased their owners.

24th Aug 2001, 11:32

Yes, I'm commenting on the comments on my review... LOL. After reading the comments, all I can say is that the car WAS well maintained by me, but may not have been by the previous owner. I know I'm not crazy because two different mechanics told me how poor the mechanical condition of the car was just after I had purchased it, so that was my own fault.

I filled the car with premium gas weekly, so I don't understand what the engine pinging was all about. I tried putting regular in it and the car pinged even worse, so I went back to premium.

The brakes, well, I don't see how that could possibly be my fault considering I'm light on the brakes and had just changed them.

The car stalling on me like I said in my review, well that's just Toyota crap because it was the fuel pump that went out... again, not due to the way I drove the car.

When it comes to the interior literally falling apart, that again is Toyota crap. Interior trim is not supposed to fall off and hit your passengers in the head... yep, that actually happened one day when I was driving and the plastic cover on the interior B-pillar fell off and hit my front passenger in the head. Talk about embarrassing!

Like I said, I can blame these things on one of two parties... Toyota or the previous owner. I think they are both at fault.

9th Dec 2001, 06:59

Gee, mate, if you were to purchase a vehicle with 190000 kilometres on it, surely you would have gone over it, or commissioned someone professional to go over it with a fine toothed comb, wouldn't you? The problems that you describe are symbolistic with poor maintenance & neglect. Surely, there are stringent laws that protect the consumer in America against this? I know that here in Australia that there are warranties for used cars that cover certain mechanical areas.

My advice to you would be to look into the issue further & take what legal action you can in order to gain a satisfactory resolution.

13th Jan 2002, 02:51

23rd Aug 2002, 08:18

Man, why didn't you do a thorough inspection and background check on the car when you bought it. I have one 88 Camry that has much more miles than yours. I still have the original clutch and all the interior parts are intact. I afraid the previous owner might have torn the car apart and put it back together! This is a lesson for you to learn: Do a thorough inspection and background check on the car. well, you probably have another car now!

30th Sep 2002, 23:45

Hi

I now own a 1989 Camry All Trac. I don't know much about this car, but so far I love it. I am a former owner of a 1986 VW Quantum Syncro. That car kicked ass!!! I did have some problems with it, mostly because it had 202,897 miles on it.

9th Mar 2004, 12:26

I'm sorry you had so much trouble with your Camry - unfortunately, it sounds like either a lemon, or, as mentioned in previous comments, neglect by the previous owner. I have 248,000 on my '88, and it's just needing a new clutch. Timing belt replaced twice (at 100,000 mile intervals - and not because it needed it, but preventive maintenance). One oil leak at 230,000. Other than that, just the cost of routine maintenance, which we do ourselves.

31st Mar 2004, 18:10

I have an 88 Toyota Camry. Bought it in 2001. I love my car. I have had a problem with the starter, had to replace them twice, but now that is fixed and I am getting a new transmission because the pump went out. Otherwise the car has been very good to me. Got me from New Orleans, La to Detroit, Mi without a complaint.

14th Mar 2005, 12:01

The guy who posted the last comment, should spend more time on typing a sentence that actually communicates his point. It is hard to tell what you are commenting on and there is no clear message in the sentence fragments you have posted. Please go back to your high school English teacher and demand a refund!!!

1st Dec 2005, 22:26

First I like to say that I am enjoying driving My 88 Toyota Camry DX. I wanted to buy a Toyota for a long time and finally got the chance to buy one. I have been very happy with my purchase and the condition of the vehicle. It had 75k miles on it and the only thing I have done so far was to change the battery and replace the air filter. I read a lot of reviews and comments about Toyota Camry's and found very positive feedback. I always try to keep my cars in great shape by doing regular maintenance and tune ups. I have done at least 3 oil changes on this Camry and everything is in working order. I check and found that I get 27 miles per gallon which is not too bad. I really believe that this one will last me for a long time and because of the condition and how clean I keep my Camry, People always ask me if I am selling it!

I just smile and say "Sorry, but It's not For Sale!"

I am not an expert in cars, work for Toyota or write many reviews about cars. One thing I know and that is..."I am keeping my Camry" You'll know a good thing... when you drive it.

4th Mar 2006, 06:39

I have a 1988 Camry with over 350,000kms. It is a great car and as prev comments point out the interior in mine is great, only one rip from prev owner. Have not HAD to replace anything, but replaced, air filter, fuel pump, oil filter, radiator and timing belt. I would highly recommend Camry to anyone, It is cheap to run and is very reliable, only problem I have had (which was my fault) was when I ran it through a metre deep puddle which got a lot of water in engine. Had a check-up done after that happened and mechanic said it has the best timing a car of its age and for the ks on it was outstanding.

2nd Jul 2006, 23:45

I have a Camry with 144,000 miles, bought new 19 years ago, gave it to my son and he gave it back to me after he bought a new car, and I have been extremely satisfied. Like all cars, a Camry requires regular oil changes and a little loving care. When the timing belt broke, at 133,000 miles, the car was considerate enough to go out just after we left the Santa Monica Freeway in L.A. and we coasted into a garage. Who says these cars don't have heart?

28th Oct 2006, 05:38

28th Mar 2007, 13:49

This was the most amazing car that I'd ever owned. I bought mine knowing that it had several issues (read my review), and despite those problems my car still ran like a dream. I cried when someone broke into it and spitefully destroyed the engine. I have owned a '86 Honda Civic and while it was as good car, it was nothing compared to my Camry. If I had the money to get my Camry running again I would gladly forgo the '91 Mazda Miata that I'm buying from my Father, simply because I know that I can rely on it.

12th Feb 2008, 13:40

As a former automobile repair expert let me add some comments.

The Camry is well known for the brake pedal pulsation. This is not due to the rotors of bad design, but rather to the type of front wheel bearings. This FWD car is not using serviceable adjustable taper roller bearings in the front hub, the bearings are not adjustable and lubricated for life, so after 60000 miles or after the cv boot service with the axle bumped out with sledge, it cannot maintain its original setting. As a result the front hubs, the brake rotors and the tires are developing radial play which felt as jerking steering wheel, pulsating brake pedal and out of round front tires. The lifetime lubricated rear wheel bearing hubs have same life expectancy at least on the wagon s loaded close to the allowable load of 800 pounds.